Laches

Laches in real estate is a legal doctrine that prevents a party from asserting a claim or right if they have unreasonably delayed in doing so, and this delay has prejudiced the opposing party. It essentially penalizes neglect or undue delay in enforcing a right, where such delay has caused a detrimental effect, such as loss of evidence or changes in property conditions. In real estate, this can arise in various situations, such as disputes over property boundaries, easements, or breaches of contract, where one party has waited too long to assert their claim, and as a result, the opposing party has suffered a disadvantage.